Gavin
Chapter Seven
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. One fucking day around this girl and I already fucked up.
Little Tornado? Really? A fucking nickname.
I cannot believe I just did that! What is it about this girl that causes my head to be so messed up?
She is with Atlas. I try not to show the panic on my features as I finish making my coffee and exit the kitchen.
Don’t even get me started on the fact I just watched my best friend fuck his girl in their kitchen.
I rounded the corner the second he pushed into her.
I couldn’t look away. No matter how hard I tried, it was as if I was stuck in a trance until she finished.
I swear the way she looked coming for him altered my brain completely.
I don’t know if moving in was a smart idea, but if I make a big deal about it and move out, Atlas will question why.
I need to put distance between us. I need to get my head screwed back on straight.
I can’t like her. I shouldn’t want her. Atlas is pretty much a brother to me; I would never do anything that could ruin the one good thing he seems to have in his life.
She makes him a better man. He smiles more around her.
I would hate myself if I did anything to ruin it.
I would never willingly do anything to hurt Atlas.
I could never be that selfish. I don’t even do relationships.
What the fuck is going on? My phone chimes with a text notification, breaking me from my thoughts.
Ramos: I heard from Atlas you were back in town.
Gavin: I am. What’s up?
Ramos: I got a job offer for you. If you're interested?
Gavin: If you are texting me, I assume it’s off the books.
Ramos: You assume correctly.
Gavin: You piqued my interest. What’s the job?
Ramos: A family member is in need of a hacker. I would normally do it myself, but I am working on some recon for this and can’t do both. When it comes to family, I don’t trust just anyone to do the job, and you're the best hacker I know, besides myself, obviously.
Gavin: I don’t know if I am the best but yeah I will do the job for you man.
Ramos: Appreciate it. I will email over an encrypted file later with all the information.
Gavin: Okay.
It’s not the first time Ramos has asked me to help him with a job.
They are usually pretty easy, and they pay pretty well.
Atlas knows we do them, but he never asks for the details.
I don’t work on these types of jobs from the office computer.
I try to keep the non-legal jobs separate from Torres Security.
I'd rather be safe than sorry. Unfortunately, that means I need to go get my work laptop from my car, which is still parked at the hotel.
I head back towards the kitchen, hoping Atlas will give me a ride to the hotel.
I also want to find out if he is pissed at me for what I saw this morning.
Maizyn
Between the orgasm and being caught in the act of having one by our new house guest, my entire body is warm.
Embarrassment, orgasms, and a hangover from the devil himself.
I can’t imagine a better way to start today.
Atlas made sure I was okay before telling me we would talk about everything later and that he was going to get a quick shower.
While drinking is probably the reason I am in this situation, I need one to get through the day.
Plus, Atlas isn’t here to tell me I probably shouldn’t.
If it doesn’t give me the strength to explain what I remember of my panic attack, maybe it will at least postpone the hangover symptoms because this sucks and not the fun kind.
I climb my short ass onto the kitchen counter so I can reach the bottle of tequila from the top cabinet above the fridge.
It’s a very inconvenient place to put it, but Atlas thinks it’s hilarious I am too short to reach without resorting to climbing.
I free the bottle from its hiding place, then I place it on the counter, preparing to hop down from my perch when a throat clears behind me.
My head whips in the direction the sound came from to see Gavin standing in the doorway again.
What is up with this man sneaking into the kitchen without me noticing him?
“Are you in here making more messes, Little Tornado?”
My mouth drops open in surprise. He did not just say that. He called me the nickname again. I hate the fact I don’t hate it. “I am just making a margarita. Not like it’s any of your business. Can I help you with something?”
He seems to be mulling my question over before answering. “I was going to see if Atlas would give me a ride to the hotel so I can get my things and my car but I see he is not in here.”
He hesitates before speaking again. “Maybe learn to pace yourself, so shit like the other night doesn't happen again?”
I flinch at his words. They are not something I haven’t heard before, but for some reason, it feels like they cut deeper coming from him.
I immediately cover up my hurt feelings with anger.
“You are such a dick; you don't know anything.” I flip him off and storm out of the kitchen.
Fuck him for ruining my morning and my drink.
Gavin
She flips me the middle finger. It takes everything in me not to stop her from storming out.
Why did I just do that? All I had to do was keep my mouth shut, but no, I had to open my stupid mouth.
Not only did I call her Little Tornado again, but I also hinted at the scene I saw earlier, then upset her by telling her to control her drinking.
I didn’t mean to be an asshole, but I can’t seem to keep my foot out of my mouth when it comes to her.
It’s as if she short-circuits my brain anytime she is around.
What she does is none of my business, yet I can’t seem to stop myself from sharing my two cents.
I stand in the kitchen until I hear her bedroom door slam shut down the hall.
I ordered a ride share to the hotel instead of bothering Atlas or her any further.
If I had done that in the first place, maybe Maizyn wouldn’t be pissed at me right now.
I arrive at the hotel without any issues and make my way up to my room.
Maybe I should just tell Atlas I will stay here.
I was in his home for one day and already made it worse for them.
Hell, after what I walked into this morning?
I am sure Maizyn will tell Atlas what I just said, and I doubt Atlas will even want me to stay there.
Let me text him before going back over to his house.
I would hate to check out just for him to kick me out.
Gavin: Hey man
Atlas: What’s up? You were already gone when I got out of the shower.
Gavin: I am back at the hotel. I was going to ask you to drive me, but I didn’t want to bother you so I got a ride share instead.
Atlas:I would have driven you over there. Do you need any help getting all of your stuff moved over here?
Gavin: You still want me to move in with y’all?
Atlas: Yeah, why wouldn’t we? Unless you don’t want to? That’s fine too.
Gavin: Nah, it’s not that. I just thought after everything that happened this morning, you wouldn’t want me around.
The little dots show he is typing dance on the screen. I am actually nervous for his response. I wouldn't blame him for being mad at me for everything right now. I would deserve it.
Atlas: What, the little show you saw this morning? It wasn’t your fault we were fucking in the kitchen. Sorry about the impromptu breakfast show you witnessed this morning.
He only mentioned the first event of this morning, not the other. Did Maizyn not tell him about what I said?
Gavin: It’s your house, no need to apologize.
Atlas: When will you be back? I was going to talk to Maizyn about everything that happened last night, and her panic attack, but she insisted that since you were dragged into the middle of it, you deserve to know. She refuses to say the shit twice. Her exact words.
Gavin: I can be back in about an hour.
Atlas: Okay cool.
I pack up my things, check out of the hotel, then load my car and drive back to Atlas’ house. I have the sinking feeling in my gut that I am walking into a trap.